Pakistani churches helping needy students in Lent

(March 12, 2010) The Church in Pakistan is undertaking various projects to help those in need this Lenten season. In Karachi archdiocese, the Pontifical Mission Societies distributed 50 school bags and stationery items to Catholic students at St. John Mary Vianney Church in Noor Mohammad village. The ceremony on Tuesday was held at a run-down church building which is being used as St. Sicilia Primary School since last August. Of some 50 school children only a few are paying the nominal fee of 100 rupees per month. Karachi archdiocese is currently conducting seminars to encourage acts of charity during Lent and priests are urging their faithful to be simple, cut down on expenses and help the poor and needy. In neighbouring Hyderabad diocese, a Franciscan priest started adult literacy classes on Ash Wednesday in a Christian slum area. Father Samson Shukardin from St. Elizabeth Parish said they handed out books and stationery among a class of 20 women, most of them housemaids and housewives. Meanwhile a parish in Multan diocese, central Punjab, is urging Catholics to collect funds, clothes and food items for widows and the poor. Father Yousaf Sohan, vicar general of Multan said every Lent they collect donations from four Catholic churches in the city and then distribute them before the beginning of Holy Week.